DeMoss, Neari practicing to make the right college choice

"Where are you going to college? What are you going to study? What sport are you going to play?"

Jon DeMoss and Nick Neari, two starters on both the basketball and football teams at St. Charles North, both hear these questions all the time. Both don't know the answer to any of them. Both have options - endless options - on what their future will hold for them.

The past four days for both DeMoss and Neari have been non-stop. They were visited by one college Friday, had to play in a football game Saturday, and headed to another college Sunday and Monday, only to return back to practice by Monday afternoon.

Deciding which college is the best is one of the biggest decisions high school seniors have to make. It's stressful, time-consuming and, yes, can even be fun. This is just a sample of what DeMoss and Neari have - and will continue to go through - for most of their senior year.

Jon DeMoss and Nick Neari looked a little more refreshed than they should have Monday afternoon.

Two of the most athletic seniors at St. Charles North just got back from the 2-hour-plus drive from Augustana College in Rock Island on a recruiting visit, and had to be at football practice. Neari, the starting quarterback was good to go, but DeMoss, a wide receiver/running back, hyper-extended his elbow on a punt return early in Saturday's 21-7 loss to Upstate Eight Conference foe Bartlett and couldn't practice.

DeMoss and Neari's adventures began Friday, when Illinois Wesleyan came to see them at St. Charles North for basketball, followed by practice at night. The next day was the game against Bartlett and Sunday and half of Monday was spent at Augustana.

In a span of four days, the pair of best friends had a little sample of what they are in for when it comes time to the whole recruiting process and choosing the perfect college.

Turns out, it wasn't so bad.

"Very busy weekend," Neari said. "It was a fun time being (at Augustana) with a friend (DeMoss). I went up there earlier this spring and it was a fun time. Great campus, great college life. I'm just looking to see where the opportunities are the most."

"It's fun visiting different places, and it's fun being a high school senior," DeMoss said. "I just want to enjoy this now."

According to boys basketball coach Tom Poulin, who is also an assistant with the football team, DeMoss has been in contact with all levels of colleges for hoops, including Miami-Ohio, Wisconsin-Green Bay, Eastern Illinois, Western Illinois, Illinois Wesleyan, Augustana and "pretty much every Division-2 and Division-3 school in the Midwest." DeMoss has played varsity basketball since freshman year, but has also emerged as a great football player as well.

"You just never know what is going to happen," DeMoss said. "It's a process that is hard to explain. I haven't really tried to advertise myself as a football player. I just come out and play when the season starts."

As for Neari, Poulin said several Division III basketball programs in the Midwest are interested in him participating in both basketball and football as well as Butler, Knox, Coe and Colby Colleges are also on the radar for football. Neari has been the starting QB for two seasons.

"I'm just keeping my options open," Neari said.

St. Charles North football coach Mark Gould said he is more than flexible with his players when it comes time for them to take college visits during the season.

"The college stuff, that's not hard," Gould said. "That's the future. That's an easy one, when they are going to go and visit a college. Most of the kids are good about making it back for practice. We've never really had problems with that. Going to colleges, visiting colleges, that's what we are preparing them for anyway."

There will be more days like this when the basketball season starts in November.

"They are fortunate to be in this situation," Poulin said of DeMoss and Neari, who both earned a spot on the all-area basketball team last year. "They've put in the time in the classroom and the gym or on the field, so they deserve it. They are hard-workers with great families behind them to support them. It's good to have options."

The best friends have known each other since fifth grade. Their bond is that much stronger because both are dealing with the exact same thing. It's even possible the duo will end up at the same school, maybe even for the same sport.

"Nick is like my brother," DeMoss said. "When I go to his house, I just walk in his house, I eat his food ... and it's the same thing with him. It's cool, it's awesome to grow up with him.

"It's fun to hear what Nick thinks of a certain school, what we agree on, what we disagree on. It's nice to know someone knows what I'm going through."

The boys admit they both don't have all the answers to the common questions they are asked regarding their future. Both don't know whether or not they'll play football or basketball. They don't know what level they want to play at. Who knows? Maybe they won't play at all and will focus exclusively on their educations.

For now, they are going to enjoy their days as high school athletes and not rush to make any decision.

They do know, however, when they do make their decision, they will let every interested person know. Right now, the focus is St. Charles North football.

"There's not that much pressure because I won't know until after the basketball season," Neari said. "I still have half a year to figure it out. Who knows?"

"It's just a crazy, crazy, crazy thing," DeMoss added. "No hurry, no pressure. Just calm, cool and collected about the whole thing."

Do you have any unique and fun story ideas regarding varsity football? Share your ideas with me at cbolin@dailyherald.com or via phone at (630) 955-3515.